6 Finest SSO Software program I Tried

Within the pre-single sign-on (SSO) period, I by no means conveniently browsed an utility as I acquired caught in a loop of resetting passwords or recalling safety inquiries to revive entry.However then I acquired considering. If managing a number of passwords was an uphill process for me, how a lot community bandwidth, server capability, and developer turnaround may it take for corporations to take care of a seamless login expertise? Loads.

Now, with the login comfort purchased by SSO suppliers, I used to be curious to delve into the important thing differentiators of those instruments that permit us to entry a number of methods with a single login credential.

In case you are within the technique of scouting the best SSO supplier, I’ve listed a private evaluation of the 6 greatest SSO suppliers in 2025 that enhance information safety, cut back breach dangers, and enhance end-user expertise.

Other than my analysis, these greatest SSO suppliers have additionally been rated as high market leaders in G2 because of their providers, resembling ease of authentication, encryption, and information privateness. 

Whereas analyzing these SSO suppliers, I paid consideration to numerous elements like information safety, community compatibility, {hardware} providers, utility programming interface (API) and software program improvement equipment (SDK) integration, and identification and entry administration (IAM) integration, which streamline authentication protocols and centralize platforms in order that the person can single-click and launch any internet or cellular app.

6 greatest SSO suppliers I discovered to
be essentially the most suitable 

Throughout the preliminary evaluation, I spent a while setting distant authentication entry and went into particulars of safety switch protocols like safety assertion markup language (SAML), OAuth, and OpenID Join and their scripting backends to route authentication for varied staff members and set restoration processes or one-time passwords in the event that they lose entry at any given time. 

As a beginner to the SSO authentication workflow, my foremost motto was to find out how safety protocols alternate data and ship log-in calls to the backend. I additionally earnestly delved into third-party API distributors or information facilities for one-step ticket decision, service desk alerts, and authentication types like multi-factor authentication, passwordless authentication, cellular verification, and so forth.

Though I’m not an skilled coder, I analyzed the backend of those safety protocols and tried to know the porting providers that maintain a key position in making person authentication seamless. As shocked as I used to be with the seamless integration of all these providers within the SSO software program I attempted, I’ve listed options that will ease the workload of dev groups and community engineers. 

What makes an SSO supplier price it, in accordance
to me?

With my expertise, I targeted on two elements: enabling multi-app authentication and providing a safe app launch board for customers to offer one-click entry to functions and supply a strong community safety expertise.

When you are in the course of your search, these are the differentiators that it is advisable look out for:

• Help for industry-standard authentication protocols: As I used to be severe about discovering an SSO for elevated safety, I solely shortlisted instruments that supply industry-specific protocols that electronically alternate packet information with the server and allow safe authentication for biometric matching and multi-app authentication. The presence of safety protocols ensures that your SSO supplier can match into present community infrastructure or ERP tech stack. It additionally permits SSO to combine along with your on-premise or cloud functions and allows smoother server communication.  
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) integration:  I particularly appeared for multi-factor authentication, which permits customers to confirm login credentials throughout a number of gadgets earlier than accessing an utility. Having multi-factor authentication is essentially the most appropriate solution to confirm the identification and authority of a person inside your office. It additionally means that you can set a couple of password affirmation motion to cut back the danger of fraudulent logins and unauthorized accessibility. All these options combine and help MFA instruments like Google Authenticator, YubiKey, or Microsoft Authenticator to guard information even when the password is leaked or revealed inadvertently. 
• Listing and identification supplier (IdP) compatibility: I additionally checked end-to-end encryption talents with the combination of person directories like Lively Listing (AD), Azure AD, Google Workspace, and LDAP-based director,y which supplies staff collaboration and process administration options to chop down on additional software program configuration and content material collaboration worries and activate a centralized dashboard to handle all duties and initiatives from one platform. I’ve seen organizations battle to combine SSo with present identification suppliers, so I ensured the prioritization of person directories inside the software program suite to remove all these worries.
• Function-based and context-aware entry controls: Not each worker wants entry to the login database and finish customers’ passwords, which is why role-based entry management is essential. I looked for SSO suppliers that supply information masking and RBAC to make sure solely approved folks log in to the system and think about vital information like login classes, passwords, and search historical past. My evaluation targeted on SSO suppliers, which additional segregate worker entry primarily based on job position, person conduct, machine sort, and even geographic location. I all the time would recommend on the lookout for an SSO system that dynamically adjusts authentication necessities, like implementing MFA if a person indicators from an unrecognized machine. 
• Complete audit logging and compliance reporting: I additionally ensured that these instruments present complete providers to deal with IT audits and authorized compliance administration to record out app consumption, exercise time, and different essential metrics for general IT and safety administration within the group. I additionally checked the validity of requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 to enlist instruments that abide by native, state, and federal legal guidelines and laws and register all their enterprise investments in a clear means with the federal government. 
• Scalability and integration with cloud or on-prem functions: My foremost concern was on the lookout for SSO instruments that combine with cloud and on-premise functions from a centralized app launch board. It’s doable that some options is likely to be too cloud-centric and would not match within the on-prem ERP system for corporations. Additional, it additionally permits for bigger information storage and cross-compatibility for inside stakeholders to entry a number of platforms in a safe method and conduct their day-to-day operations with out juggling passwords.
• Cellular machine compatibility and adaptive authentication: I additionally prioritized SSO that may sync with cellular gadgets and generate multi-factor authentication codes simply so as to add an additional layer of safety to person accounts. Setting cellular push notification triggers or one-time password (OTP) actions improves information safety and assures the tip person that their information is protected and defended towards any unwarranted malware assaults. 

Whereas analyzing SSO software program, I understood that just a little prior coding and technical background is important to set a number of integrations or activate safety protocols.

Throughout my testing, I attempted to stipulate round 40+ instruments, out of which I totally examined and analyzed 7+ instruments to set safe SSO workflows and construct agile authentication processes for improved privateness.

This record under accommodates real opinions from the sport engine class web page. To be included on this class, software program should:

• Permit customers to entry a number of functions or databases via one portal.
• Automate authentication to stop a number of logins
• Centralize authentication servers throughout functions.
• Present safe entry to functions and information 
• Combine login entry to enterprise functions.

*This information was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some opinions might have been edited for readability.  

Microsoft Entra ID supplies full identification and entry administration providers and complete safety protection to authenticate customers and launch SSO with out spending an excessive amount of time in programming with SpringBoot performance.

Should you run a enterprise or deal with IT operations in a fast-paced surroundings, you understand how vital it’s to have a safe authentication system. Microsoft Entra ID eased the workflows on my plate.

What I liked about this instrument is the way it simplified entry management whereas including layers of safety to guard your finish person’s information. With single sign-on (SSO), I can handle entry to lots of of functions, whether or not they’re Microsoft apps, third-party SaaS instruments, and even inside enterprise apps, with out setting a number of passwords.

I additionally wish to point out “conditional entry,” which actually supplies a notch greater safety to SSO operations. I can outline insurance policies that solely grant entry if sure situations are met. For instance, if the person logs in from a trusted machine or requires multi-factor authentication when accessing a high-risk utility, I can allow the entry.

One other characteristic that makes the instrument stand aside is identification safety. It makes use of AI-driven danger detection to watch person conduct and flag any suspicious exercise, like unattainable journey logins or leaked credentials. Mix that with Privileged Identification Administration (PIM), which lets me grant admin rights solely when completely mandatory, and I really feel like I’ve actual management over safety as a substitute of simply reacting to issues.

That being stated, it is not all excellent. I might be sincere: the preliminary setup is just a little overwhelming if you’re new to Azure or identification administration usually. 

I discovered that Microsoft Documentation is fairly well-researched and thorough, nevertheless it has a studying curve. In case your group is not deep into the Home windows working system or Microsoft 365, configuring this instrument is likely to be just a little little bit of an issue.

Whereas Entra provides a free tier, many of the superior options said above can be found solely on paid plans, specifically P1 and P2.  Should you function on a decent organizational price range, it might get just a little expensive. In case you are severe about safety and automation, it might be price investing in, nevertheless it wants some prior contemplation.

General, Microsoft Entra allows glitch-free and distant person authentication for a number of methods with single key entry and connects your day-to-day frequent apps to streamline your initiatives and keep abreast of all of the updates.

What I dislike about Microsoft Entra:

• In case you are part of a system with a couple of community assets, configuring and setting Microsoft Entra may appear just a little bit advanced and time-consuming. 
• Once I tried to sync it with an iOS machine for single sign-on, I discovered the deployment course of a bit complicated and lengthy. 

What do G2 customers dislike about Microsoft Entra:

“Microsoft Entra ID has confirmed to be a dependable and environment friendly platform for Spring Boot improvement. Its seamless integration, complete documentation, and supportive neighborhood make it a wonderful selection for Spring Boot builders.”

– Microsoft Entra Evaluation, Sneha D.

Okta is an all-in-one safety administration and productiveness instrument that helps you remotely handle frequent internet utilitys and entry any app you want with a single click on. It additionally provides extra options for immediate ticket decision, workflow automation and different integrations with productiveness directories.

Okta made it seamless for me to entry work functions, cloud platforms, and enterprise methods with out consistently typing in passwords. 

One of many issues I wish to name out is how nicely it integrates with different person directories and different apps. Whether or not I’m coping with AWS, Google Workspace, or older enterprise functions, Okta all the time has an integration that is able to go.

It helps requirements and domains like SAML, OAuth, and SCIM, so even when my firm makes use of a mixture of old-school on-prem and cloud instruments, Okta stays suitable and allows clean SSO workflows.

Safety is one other space the place Okta has confirmed actually environment friendly. It provides a rock-solid MFA characteristic, giving choices like Okta Confirm (the authenticator app), SMS codes, immediate notifications on cellular gadgets, and so forth.

However Okta does have some ebbs and flows infrequently. Whereas the platform is beneficial, setting it up generally is a problem typically. 

Firms with distant or hybrid settings want an extra machine in order that they’ll log in and entry their work accounts, which might trigger an issue in case the machine is unavailable.

However having stated that, Okta is without doubt one of the best and safe SSO instruments that gives end-to-end information safety and eases the concerns of finish customers.  

What I dislike about Okta:

• I’ve observed occasional efficiency lags when I attempt to register to the Okta utility, and it additionally does not work nicely if we have now restricted on-line connectivity.
• To completely perceive Okta’s potential, I felt I wanted to examine some prior tutorials and studying materials.

What do G2 customers dislike about Okta:

“One factor is the dearth of troubleshooting steps or information when Okta encounters technical points.”

– Okta Evaluation, Eli M.

Salesforce Platform is a pioneer in providing low-code improvement, information administration, and cloud internet hosting providers to enhance person accessibility, information safety, and AI-based productiveness monitoring.

One of many largest wins with Salesforce is how seamlessly it integrates along with your organizational ERP. It connects with Gmail, LinkedIn, third-party apps, and even instruments you did not notice you wanted.

Should you handle orders, the Salesforce Order Administration System provides providers for your complete order-to-cash lifecycle. It streamlines all the things, from stock checks to fee processing to cargo monitoring, and all of that is additionally managed by way of single sign-on.

I additionally could not get sufficient of customization choices. It allowed me to tailor studies relating to authentication workflows, monitor key metrics, and supply actionable insights on person information. Moreover, AI-driven analytics predict gross sales developments primarily based on historic information, providing precious insights with out relying on any third-party supply.

That stated, Salesforce is not the simplest instrument to configure. With out an skilled administrator or developer, the person may face an unavoidable studying curve.

Additionally, pricing generally is a problem for small or mid-size companies, which lean extra on the effectiveness of a platform slightly than the worth and are tight on price range. Scaling up with extra options requires a cautious analysis of funding vs profit. 

The cellular app, whereas useful, does not provide the identical flexibility because the desktop model. Modifying workflows or making fast adjustments might be cumbersome, which can trigger frustration amongst staff. 

Salesforce Platform is an agile and unified suite of knowledge safety and cybersecurity providers that means that you can handle all of your operations and third-party integrations easily.

What I dislike concerning the Salesforce Platform:

• I felt that for small companies or early startups, the pricing was just a little greater and is likely to be a trigger for concern.
• Once I tried to work with massive information factors, the studies and dashboards began operating just a little slowly, and it took me just a little extra time to personalize metrics.

What do G2 customers dislike about Salesforce Platform:

“Currently, the platform has opted to onboard options with clearer price-conscious drivers. Given the worth the platform provides from their native options, I believe the newly packaged clouds try too arduous to push the underside line.”

– Salesforce Platform Evaluation, Philip T.

1Password is a safe authentication and sign-in instrument that allows your groups to handle and retrieve passwords, run a self-service restoration course of, and generate straightforward studies to handle person entry, confirm identification, and cut back breach danger.

Establishing 1Password was a breeze, and the interface was clean and intuitive. I liked how I might retailer all the things, from bank card particulars to notes, securely within the encrypted vault, locked with AES-256 encryption.

One of the best half? It synced seamlessly throughout all my gadgets, whether or not I used to be on my laptop computer, telephone, or pill. It eradicated the previous methods of remembering advanced passwords or reusing weak ones simply because they had been simpler to sort.

One characteristic that I want to spotlight is the built-in password generator. It cranked out ridiculously robust passwords, and with auto-fill, I might by no means have to consider them once more. The browser extensions work like a allure on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, making logins easy.

If I needed to nitpick, I might say the most important draw back is the dearth of a free plan. I get it; safety comes at a value.  Nevertheless, for somebody on the lookout for a totally free password supervisor, 1Password may not be the very best match.

Additionally, whereas I admire the push for passkeys, setting them up generally is a little time-consuming, particularly when you aren’t tech-savvy.

I additionally bumped into minor syncing points at times and had some bother adjusting to the platform’s person interface, which felt just a little clunky when it comes to design. 

General, 1Password is a strong password safety app that may handle your authorizations and login processes with out you having to set new passwords and provoke new restoration processes each time.

What I dislike about 1Password:

• It was just a little complicated to recollect whether or not I purchased the cloud model or the Mac app retailer model after I was reinstalling it on a unique system, and it took a while to determine that out. 
• I wasn’t too onboard with the passkey idea, and a few instances, I wasn’t in a position to deploy it on my cellular machine by way of the cellular utility.

What do G2 customers dislike about 1Password:

“The 1Password widget, when there are over 100 credentials within the dropdown, can typically be a bit cumbersome to navigate.”

– 1Password Evaluation, Verified Person in Pc Software program

IBM Confirm provides end-to-end password administration and workforce identification options to automate your person authentication and system administration processes for on-field and distant employees.

First, IBM Confirm provides top-notch authentication and safety. It is not nearly getting the OTP in your telephone; it additionally secures logins with biometric authentication, risk-based authentication, and passwordless entry. 

What I like is that it adapts to my conduct. If one thing appears off, like an unauthorized login try from an uncommon e mail ID or location, it throws safety checks at these distinct customers. 

Since I handle a number of functions, remembering one million passwords is a nightmare. IBM Confirm integrates seamlessly with Azure AD, AWS IAM, Salesforce, and Google Workspace, making it straightforward to entry a number of methods by way of single authentication.

IBM Confirm additionally provides identification and entry administration that offers me full management. The RBAC characteristic permits me to resolve who will get to see what, all the way down to the smallest element. Identification federation ensures I can authenticate permissions throughout totally different domains seamlessly.

Nevertheless, I wish to spotlight a couple of struggles whereas deploying the software program. Whereas the platform is highly effective, the preliminary setup generally is a bit difficult, particularly if you’re not deeply acquainted with IAM methods.

Whereas the person expertise is clean, the admin panel might use some work and sharpening. It certain is feature-packed, nevertheless it feels just a little clunky and cluttered, which might annoy customers just a little.

On the subject of efficiency, issues are nice (often), however I’ve observed occasional latency, notably with MFA requests. Additional, IBM Confirm is not the most affordable model on the market, and the pricing construction generally is a little complicated.

Whereas the subscription fashions have totally different tiers and options primarily based on person counts, as a small enterprise or startup, you may really feel the pinch when you function on a decent price range.

What I dislike about IBM Confirm:

• I had some problem setting it up and understanding its advanced options, and I needed to seek advice from directions to comply with the method.
• I felt there was a spot in enabling admin entry for purchasers in order that purchasers or prospects may onboard their stakeholders or companions for buying and selling. 

What do G2 customers dislike about IBM Confirm:

“Loading the admin console will typically take extra time to load. This causes issues once we wish to carry out rapid duties.”

– IBM Confirm Evaluation, Harish W.

Cisco Duo is a cloud-based identification entry administration platform that allows safe authorization and information masking of customers after they entry any system and provides single sign-on providers for distant administration and system upkeep.

I’ve discovered that Cisco Duo is a well-rounded and dependable multifactor authentication (MFA) answer with a robust status for safety.

Duo primarily works via push notifications, SMS, telephone calls, and passcodes. I personally liked the push notification characteristic, which is fast, straightforward, and takes up means much less time.

One of many issues I actually admire about Cisco Duo is its integration with different platforms. Whether or not I’m linked to cloud providers, VPNs, and even legacy functions, Duo works easily throughout a variety of methods. Managing customers via Duo’s admin dashboard provides you a centralized palette of options.

Should you work in IT or service desk groups, you’ll discover it extremely helpful to implement safety insurance policies, handle authentication strategies, and monitor login exercise in real-time.

In fact, there are a couple of areas the place Duo might be higher. Whereas Duo is very handy, it leans closely on phone-based authentication. If I ever misplace my telephone or expertise a notification delay, it may be irritating as I’m saved logged out of the system.

I’ve additionally observed that some superior safety features like adaptive authentication and machine belief are locked behind premium paywalls that may not be out there to small enterprise customers working on a decent price range. 

One other difficulty I confronted was with the preliminary setup. It wasn’t overly advanced, however I did really feel that the documentation lacked a little bit of readability. In case you are seeking to combine the applying with third-party authentication apps, you may face some hurdles and search the developer’s help.

General Cisco Duo is a holistic IT administration and safety answer that secures your inside server operations and reduces any potential danger of breaches or phishing encounters.

What I dislike about Cisco Duo:

• It will have been nice if I might entry my admin panel from a downloaded desktop app slightly than accessing it by way of browser or cellular.
• I observed an occasional lag with push notifications on the cellular machine, which stretched my authentication course of for a while and consumed some assets.

What do G2 customers dislike about Cisco Duo:

“I had some points prior to now after I moved telephones since I did not accurately again up my previous telephone. Should you do not click on approve quickly sufficient, the request might expire, inflicting the verification to fail.”

– Cisco Duo Evaluation, Connie B.

Are you on the lookout for a solution to digitize pc upkeep operations? Try the evaluation of the 10 greatest CMMS software program finished by my peer to decide on your choices properly.